Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama
Barack Obama
June 19, 2008
"The actions of these volunteers were unacceptable and in no way reflect any policy of my campaign."
—Obama, apologizing after volunteers at a June 16th rally in Detroit removed two women who were sitting behind the podium — and in view of the TV cameras — because they were wearing head scarves, a move attacked by critics as proof he is trying to hide his Muslim support. That Obama's website calls the rumor that he secretly practices Islam a "smear" further fueled such criticism. Representative Keith Ellison, the country's first Muslim congressman, told the New York Times that he is still waiting for Obama to say "there's nothing wrong with being a Muslim"
— M.J. Stephey